Outcome Specialist

About the Role

As part of a team, the Outcome Specialist provides direct individual and family services to facilitate healing through trauma-informed services and Positive Youth Development. The Outcome Specialist ensures connections to services, programs, activities, and resources that lead to positive short and long-term outcomes for program participants. This role supports pregnant, expecting, and parenting adolescent females between the ages of 13-20, helping them stabilize and develop individualized skills to transition successfully into adulthood. Responsibilities include obtaining and maintaining safe housing, continuing education, learning independent living skills, obtaining employment, building a support system, and remaining free from legal involvement.

The Outcome Specialist serves sixteen pregnant, expecting, or parenting adolescents under the care of the City of Philadelphia Department of Human Services (DHS), either directly or through a Community Umbrella Agency (CUA), and possibly through involvement in the Philadelphia Juvenile Justice system. The specialist manages a caseload of eight residents and their children (two specialists serve 16 residents). Regulatory compliance and reporting are fundamental requirements, including establishing effective relationships with DHS, CUAs, the Philadelphia Court and Probation systems, and other agencies.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement client service plans, monitor progress, and review with the Director of Residential and stakeholders as required.
• Assess client strengths and needs, incorporating them into service planning and assessments.
• Monitor the safety of clients in their current living arrangements and make recommendations or referrals for appropriate placement.
• Assess permanency options, recommend plans, and implement strategies to achieve permanency for clients.
• Ensure all residents receive comprehensive behavioral health assessments and connect them to appropriate services, either internally or externally.
• Provide a highly structured and supportive community to motivate residents to make positive choices and prepare for successful independence.
• Complete critical documentation, including quarterly reports, individual service plans, daily progress notes, and incident reports.
• Adhere to strength-based, recovery-focused, and Child and Adolescent Service System Program (CASSP) principles in all services.

Planning

• Attend and actively participate in all required trainings and pursue professional development opportunities.
• Manage time effectively to complete direct service requirements and documentation (e.g., ISP, quarterly reports, dental/physical records).
• Attend interviews for potential residential residents.
• Plan processes to support mothers in enhancing parenting skills, educational goals, and daily living skills.
• Collaborate with the Director of Residential Programs and Operations Manager to plan effective daily programming for young mothers and their children.
• Provide 24/7 on-call services (rotating schedule) and respond in person when necessary.
• Provide individualized education to teen parents on developmental expectations, health and safety, and infant/child bonding.
• Assist clients in obtaining daycare, WIC, immunization records, and Head Start services.
• Assess and monitor the safety and well-being of children living with clients and make referrals as needed.
• Provide case management services to clients in residential settings when assigned.

Monitoring

• Maintain the required number of training hours as mandated by local, state, and federal regulations.
• Monitor goals and objectives in the Individual Service Plan (ISP) and Single Case Plan.
• Track performance indicators and outcomes for each resident.
• Ensure residents understand placement requirements and their ISP, and obtain feedback on their placement.
• Ensure compliance with all City, State, County, and funding requirements and standards.

Intake

• Consult and collaborate with Philadelphia County DHS Central Referral Unit (CRU) to coordinate intake and admissions for the residential department.
• Maintain full capacity for residential programs and manage a waiting list of potential residents.
• Remain in contact with CRU staff to facilitate admissions.

Communication

• Communicate daily with the Director of Residential Programs, Lead Support Aides, and Support Aides regarding current and potential residents.
• Clearly and effectively communicate with outside agency affiliates to meet program expectations.
• Regularly communicate with DHS CRU, Achieving Independence Center (AIC), CUA Case Managers, Juvenile Probation, the Philadelphia Court System, and other stakeholders for admissions and discharge planning.
• Communicate with DHS, CUAs, and other stakeholders when a resident is ready to transition to another level of care.
• Complete and maintain all relevant information pertaining to residents and compliance requirements.

Networking

• Maintain contact with consumers, referral sources, agents of the court, and internal/external resources.
• Maintain weekly (or more frequent) face-to-face contact with clients through dorm and office visits.
• Engage resistant clients in services.
• Provide outreach to clients, family members, and significant others to maintain contact and develop resources.
• Maintain required contact with relevant family members, assess their need for services, and work on relationship-building.

Documentation

• Complete all pre-placement paperwork as required.
• Complete required admission/intake and discharge paperwork (placement and discharge memos, census reports).
• Complete Individual Service Plans (ISP), Quarterly Progress Reports, and Discharge Summaries according to 3800 regulations timeline.
• Maintain a daily contact log and reports of weekly contacts with residents.
• Document all contacts involved in the child’s placement and maintain confidential case records consistent with Northern Children’s Services and DHS contract standards.

Qualifications

• Expertise: Relevant experience in social services, case management, or a related field.
• Physical Capabilities: Ability to perform essential job functions, including responding to on-call duties and providing in-person support as needed.
• Trauma-Informed Approach: Knowledge and application of trauma-informed care principles in working with youth and families.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance for full-time employees.
• Life Insurance/AD&D and LTD: $20,000 life insurance policy through Mutual of Omaha Company at no cost, along with LTD coverage and AD&D insurance.
• Additional self-funded insurance plans, including accident, cancer, critical illness, and short-term disability insurance.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with a generous matching contribution after one year of employment.
• Generous paid time off or sick leave.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering confidential referral and counseling services for stress management, legal/financial concerns, depression, and substance abuse.
• Self-funded legal services for various legal matters.